JPH1115211A - Image forming device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent an original placing means from being protruded from a device main body in an image forming device provided with a means for reading an original sheet, an image forming means for forming an image on a recording sheet and an original placing means for placing the original sheet passing the image reading means, etc. SOLUTION: This image forming device is provided with the image forming means 4 disposed in the device main body 1 so that the image may be formed on the recording sheet P, a recording paper feeding means feeding the sheet P to the means 4, an ejection part 8 ejecting the sheet P from the means 4, the image reading means 3 reading the original sheet, and original feeding means 20 to 23 feeding the original sheet to the means 3. In the device, an original sheet placing means 181 is turned around a shaft 18A as center counterclockwise so that the path of the original carried from the means 18 to the placing part 8 through the means 3 may be crossed with the ejection path of the sheet P from the means 4.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus in a facsimile machine, a copying machine, etc., in which a sheet conveyance path is mainly improved.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A facsimile apparatus will be described as an example of a conventional image forming apparatus with reference to FIG.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a facsimile apparatus as an image forming apparatus in which a sheet conveying device L is used as a sheet discharging unit that discharges a sheet.

In FIG. 7, reference numeral 101 denotes an apparatus main body;
Reference numeral 10 denotes a document table, which is a cartridge cover and is configured to be able to stack a plurality of documents S.
Reference numeral 3 denotes an image reading unit for reading image information of the document S, 104 denotes a recording apparatus main body composed of a laser beam printer, 105 denotes a document transport unit, 106 denotes a document pressing unit, 107 denotes a contact image sensor, 108 denotes a document discharge tray, 109 is a laser scanner, 110 is an image forming unit (image forming means), 11
Reference numeral 1 denotes a manual sheet feeding unit; 112, a face-down recording sheet discharge tray including a discharge tray 156 of the sheet conveying device L; 113, a cassette unit; 114, a recording paper conveyance path switching flapper; 115, a face down guide; Is an upper document guide, 117 is a lower document guide, 125 is an operation unit,
126 is a display unit, 127 is a conveyance guide, 128 is a rear cover, and 129 is a conveyance roller. Image reading unit 103
First, the original (sheet) S stacked on the original mounting table 102 is pressed by the separation roller 119 which presses the friction piece 118 with the original S.
The document is separated and fed one by one, and then the separated document is conveyed to the close contact type image sensor 107 by the paper feed roller 121 pressed by the pressing spring 120 and the paper feed roller 122 pressed against the paper feed roller 121. Then, the original is pressed against and brought into close contact with the contact image sensor 107 by the original pressing unit 106, and after the image information of the original S is read by the contact image sensor 107, the original S is pressed by the pressing spring 120. The rollers 123 and the paper discharge rollers 124 that press against the paper discharge rollers 123 discharge the paper to the document discharge tray 108. During this time, the document S is guided by the upper document guide 116 and the lower guide 117.

The document table 102 is provided with a styler 102a slidable in a direction perpendicular to the direction of transport of the document S (the width direction of the document S). And that Steider 1
The original S loaded on the original mounting table 102 according to 02a
Both sizes can be aligned. When the document S is a long document, the rear end of the document S can be prevented from protruding from the document table 102 and hanging down by the document tray 102b.

The recording apparatus main body 104 emits a modulation signal from a laser beam transmitter 109a of a laser scanner 109 based on an image signal output from a control section, and outputs the modulation beam to the image forming section 1 by a polygon mirror 109b.
The photosensitive drum 110a is irradiated with scanning light to form image information on the surface of the photosensitive drum 110a.
After the image information is transferred and fixed to the recording paper (sheet) P fed to the recording paper P, the recording paper P is discharged to the recording paper stacking tray 112.

The photosensitive drum 110a is connected to a primary charger 110
b, a developer roller 110c, and a cleaning blade (not shown) are integrally incorporated in the recording cartridge 110e, and are configured to be detachable from the apparatus main body 101. Then, the surface of the photosensitive drum 110a is uniformly charged by the primary charger 110b, and when a scanning light sent from the polygon mirror 109 is irradiated through the folding mirror 109c on the surface, a latent image is formed on the surface. The latent image is visualized by toner supplied from the developing roller 110c.

A transfer charger 110f is arranged around the photosensitive drum 110a of the image forming section 110. Further, a thermal fixing device 110g, a pair of paper discharge rollers 110h, and a rubber roller 152 and a pinch roller 154 of the sheet conveyance device L forming a pair of face-down paper discharge rollers are disposed on the recording paper conveyance path downstream of the photosensitive drum 110a. ing.

After the toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 110a is transferred by the transfer charger 110f, the recording paper P is conveyed along a conveyance guide 127, and the heat fixing device 11
0 g, the toner image is fixed, and then the discharge roller pair 1
Sent to 10h.

The user can select one of two output modes of the recording paper P (so-called face-down discharge and face-up discharge). here,
Face-down paper ejection means that the print side of the original is
This is a format in which paper is discharged so that the output page order is aligned. Also,
The face-up discharge means a format in which the printed surface is directed upward so that the output contents can be checked even during discharge.
The switching between the two types is performed by moving the recording paper transport path switching flapper 114 to switch the transport path.

FIG. 7 shows a face-down paper discharge state. The recording paper P turned upward by the flapper 114 is guided along a face-down guide 115 and forms a pair of face-down discharge rollers.
52, the paper is discharged to the face-down recording paper discharge tray 112 by the pinch rollers 154.

When the user selects face-up discharge, the direction of the flapper 114 is changed by a switching lever (not shown), and the document is discharged to the document discharge tray 108 side. The tray 108, which also serves as a face-up discharge tray and a document discharge tray, is wire-shaped, so that even when a user stands in front of the apparatus, the user is less likely to feel that there is an obstacle on the front of the apparatus. ing.

The cassette section 113 is provided at the bottom of the apparatus main body 101. The recording paper P stacked on the cassette orchestra 131 is pressed against the separation roller 160 by the upward rotation of the middle plate 136 by the lifter arm (feeding force applying means) 138, and is separated one by one by the separation pad 173. (Friction piece separation method), separation guide 17
5, the cover-side U-turn guide 12 disposed on the conveying roller 129 and the rear cover 128.
8a and a main body side U-turn guide 128b arranged on the apparatus main body 101 side.

Further, the leading end position of the recording paper P being fed is detected by the registration sensor 128c, and the photosensitive drum 1 is detected.
After the timing of paper feeding and image output is adjusted so that the leading edge of the toner image formed on 10a and the leading edge of the recording paper P coincide with each other, the paper is conveyed between the transfer charger 110f and the photosensitive drum 110a. The image is recorded on the lower surface side of the recording paper P stacked on the cassette unit 113.

The recording paper P has a width regulating plate 133 and a rear end regulating plate 1 which are movably mounted in accordance with the recording paper size.
The side end face and the rear end face are regulated by 34 so that skewing and non-feeding do not occur. The number of recordable sheets is about 250, and is configured to be pulled out toward the apparatus main body 101 in the front direction (front loading method). Also, the recording paper size that can be loaded is A4,
There are three types: letter and legal. In FIG. 7, the rear end regulating plate 134 is set at the position of the letter size.

The manual paper feed unit 111 includes a rear cover 128.
It is provided on the upper part. The manual paper feed unit 111 recording sheet P inserted in is sent to the image forming unit 110 by the rollers 128 ₁ provided in the conveying roller 129 and the U-turn guide 128b.

The apparatus main body 101 includes a cartridge cover 1.
02 is provided to be openable and closable, and by opening the cartridge cover 102, the recording cartridge 110
e can be pulled out and replaced.

In the facsimile apparatus according to this embodiment, the cartridge cover 102 is provided with an interlock mechanism, and the cartridge cover 102 is open or the recording cartridge 110e is attached to the apparatus main body 101.
Is not set, the recording apparatus main body 104 does not operate.

A drum exposure prevention shutter (not shown) provided on the recording cartridge 110e is designed to operate in conjunction with the setting of the recording cartridge 110e on the apparatus main body 101. When the cartridge cover 102 is opened, the recording cartridge 110e is opened. While being opened when set in the apparatus main body 101, it is closed when the recording cartridge 110 e is removed from the apparatus main body 101, and the photosensitive drum 110 e is closed.
The unnecessary photosensitive drum a is prevented.

If a jam occurs during recording, the user can open any of the cartridge cover 102, the rear cover 128, the face down guide 115, and the cassette unit 113 to open the recording paper P staying inside the apparatus main body 101. Can be taken out.

The contact type image sensor 107 irradiates the image information surface of the document S with light from an LED array as a light source, and forms reflected light reflected from the image information surface on a sensor element by a self-fox lens (trademark). Then, the image information is read.

As described above, the reading system in the conventional image forming apparatus has been proposed to be arranged on the front side of the recording system, that is, on the left side in FIG. 7 in order to reduce the size of the apparatus.

[0023]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional example, the documents that have passed through the reading unit are stacked on a tray protruding from the apparatus, and there is a disadvantage that a space is required in front of the apparatus. If the discharged document is left unattended, it may be difficult for the user to use the document because it is difficult to access the operation unit.

Further, if the tray is removed, the size of the apparatus becomes compact, but the alignment of the discharged originals cannot be ensured, and the order may be out of order.

In addition, in the apparatus shown in FIG. 7, when the recording paper is face-up, the tray is loaded with both the original and the recording paper.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art, and has as its object to provide an easy-to-use image forming apparatus without increasing the size of the apparatus and required space.

[0027]

In order to achieve the above object, a first aspect of the present invention is directed to an image forming means provided in an apparatus main body for forming an image on a recording sheet;
Recording feeding means for feeding a recording sheet to the image forming means,
In an image forming apparatus including a discharge unit that discharges a recording sheet from the image forming unit, an image reading unit that reads a document sheet, and a document feeding unit that feeds the document sheet to the image reading unit, the image forming apparatus includes: The discharge path intersects the document sheet feeding path.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the recording sheet placing means before the image formation and the recording sheet placing means after the image formation are respectively provided at a rear portion and a front portion of the apparatus main body. An image forming apparatus, wherein the image forming unit is disposed between the two mounting units, and the image reading unit is disposed thereon.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the document sheet rotates about a rotation support shaft in a direction perpendicular to the feeding direction of the document sheet, is put out of the apparatus main body when used, and is turned out when not used. Has a document sheet tray placed on the image reading means.

A fourth invention according to the present application is characterized in that the original sheet tray is foldable.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the original sheet tray is provided with an openable / closable cover which allows passage of a recording sheet after image formation when the original sheet tray is read out of the apparatus main body when reading an original. It is characterized by having been done.

In a sixth aspect of the present invention, the cover which can be opened and closed is rotated by a driving means of an image reading means,
The rotation direction is opposite to the rotation direction when reading the original.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the image forming means includes an electrophotographic photosensitive member, an exposing means for forming a latent image on the photosensitive member, and a developing image formed by developing the latent image. And a transfer unit for transferring the developed image to a sheet, and a fixing unit for fixing the transferred image to the sheet.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, a sheet separating / feeding unit is disposed between the lower part of the recording sheet placing unit and the image forming unit, and the recording is performed downstream of the image forming unit in the sheet conveying direction. A seat guide is provided.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the recording sheet guide section, there is provided switching means for selectively switching a discharge path to a recording sheet placing means after the image formation or a front of the apparatus main body. It is characterized by having.

A tenth invention according to the present application is characterized in that the image reading means includes a feeding means for feeding a document sheet, and an image sensor for reading information on the fed document sheet.

An eleventh invention according to the present application is characterized in that a document placing means for placing a read document sheet is provided downstream of the image reading means.

A twelfth invention according to the present application is characterized in that an operation section for forming an image is provided on the image reading means.

[0039]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[Embodiment 1] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIGS. 1 to 3 illustrate a facsimile apparatus as a sheet conveying apparatus according to the present invention.

1 to 3, reference numeral 1 denotes an apparatus main body; 2, a cartridge cover; and a discharge tray configured to be able to stack a plurality of face-down recording sheets, and 3, image information of a document S. An image reading unit that reads
Reference numeral 4 denotes a recording apparatus main body composed of a laser beam printer, reference numeral 5 denotes a document transport unit, reference numeral 6 denotes a document pressing unit, reference numeral 7 denotes a contact image sensor, reference numeral 8 denotes a document ejection guide, reference numeral 9 denotes a laser scanner, and reference numeral 10 denotes an image forming unit (image forming unit). Means, 11 is a recording paper feeder, 12
Is a recording paper transport path switching flapper, 13 is an upper document guide,
14 is a lower document guide, 15 is an operation unit, 16 is a display unit, 1
Reference numeral 7 denotes a transport roller.

The image reading unit 3 first separates and feeds the originals (sheets) S stacked on the foldable original mounting table 18 one by one by a separation roller 20 that presses against the friction piece 19, and then feeds the originals. The separated document is conveyed to the close contact type image sensor 7 by the paper feed roller 21 pressed by the pressing spring and the paper feed roller 22 pressed against the paper feed roller 21, and the document is conveyed to the close contact type image sensor 6 by the document pressing portion 6. After the image information of the document S is read by the contact type image sensor 7 and the image information of the document S is read by the image sensor 7, the document S is pressed by a pressing spring, and the paper discharge roller 23 is pressed against the paper discharge roller 23. The rollers 24 discharge the document to the document discharge guide 8. During this time, the document S is guided by the upper document guide 13 and the lower document guide 14.

The lower document guide 14 is provided with a slider 25 slidable in a direction perpendicular to the direction of transport of the document S (the width direction of the document S). Then, both sizes of the document S stacked on the document table 18 spread to the front side by the slider 25 can be made uniform.

The recording apparatus main body 4 emits a modulation signal from the laser beam transmitter of the laser scanner 9 based on the image signal output from the control section 301 (see FIG. 5), and this modulated beam is imaged by the polygon mirror 9b. Forming part 10
The photosensitive drum 10a is irradiated with scanning light to form image information on the surface of the photosensitive drum 10a.

A transfer charger 10f is arranged around the photosensitive drum 10a of the image forming section 10. The recording paper transport path downstream of the photosensitive drum 10a is provided with a thermal fixing device 10g, a paper discharge roller pair 10h, and a rubber roller 5 of a sheet transport device L forming a face-down discharge roller pair.
2. The pinch rollers 54 are arranged.

After the toner image formed on the surface of the photosensitive drum 10a is transferred by the transfer charger 10f, the recording paper P is transported along the transport guide 27, and the toner image is fixed by the thermal fixing device 10g. Thereafter, the sheet is sent to the sheet discharging roller pair 10h.

The photosensitive drum 10a is integrally incorporated in a recording cartridge 10e together with a primary charger, a developer roller 10c, and a cleaning blade (not shown), and is configured to be detachable from the apparatus main body 1.
Then, the surface of the photosensitive drum 10a is uniformly charged by the primary charger, and when the scanning light sent from the polygon mirror 9b is irradiated on the surface via the return mirror 9c, a latent image is formed on the surface. The latent image is visualized by toner supplied from the developing roller 10c.

The user can select one of two output modes of the recording paper P (so-called face-down discharge and face-up discharge). Here, face-down paper discharge refers to a paper discharge mode in which the print surface of the document is directed downward and the output pages are arranged in order. The face-up paper discharge means a format in which the printed surface is directed upward so that the output contents can be checked even during paper discharge. Switching between the two types is performed by moving the recording paper transport path switching flapper 12 to switch the transport path. The flapper 12 is driven by a solenoid or the like, and a sheet discharging direction can be known by a serena (not shown) that detects which state the flapper 12 is in.

FIG. 1 shows the state of face-down paper discharge. The recording paper P turned upward by the flapper 12 is guided along the face down guide 56,
Roller rubber 52 forming a face-down discharge roller pair,
The recording paper is discharged to the face-down recording paper discharge tray 2 by the pinch rollers 54.

When the user desires face-up discharge, a changeover switch (not shown) is switched to drive a solenoid (not shown) to rotate the flapper 12 counterclockwise to change its direction. Change, guide 5
The sheet is discharged to the front side of the apparatus without passing through the sheet. The apparatus recognizes the position of the flapper 12 by a position selector (not shown).

As shown in FIG. 1, the original placing table 18 is a foldable member having a rotation center 18A in front of the lower original guide 14, and is usually an operation unit 1 provided above the apparatus.
5 so as to cover it. For this reason, the device becomes compact and effective use of space is realized. In addition, when the apparatus is used as a printer, such as a ten-key key, a one-touch transmission key, and the like on the operation unit 15, it is easy to use for the user because it covers over unnecessary buttons. When the user wants to perform facsimile transmission, the document placing table 18 is opened to the front and the document S is placed thereon as shown in FIG.

When facsimile reception or a printer command is received while the document table 18 is open, if the face-down sheet is discharged as it is, the exit is blocked and a paper jam is prevented. For this purpose, a lid 2 that rotates another sheet near the center of rotation of the original placing table
6 are provided (FIG. 4). The rotation of the lid 26 is performed by the reading unit 3.
The motor is driven by a motor (not shown), and a slip clutch mechanism (not shown) is sandwiched between driving trains on the way. Therefore, the user can manually open and close the lid 26 as desired.

Further, there are provided sensors (not shown) for detecting the open / close state of the document table 18 and the lid 26, respectively.
The main body can control the recording operation according to its open / closed state.

For example, when the document table 18 is closed as shown in FIG. 1, the recorded sheet P can be discharged face down onto the discharge tray 2.

When the original placing table 18 is open, the lid 26 is open, and the original S is placed as shown in FIG. 2, face down paper cannot be discharged. 12 is switched to the face-up discharge side to perform output. The presence / absence of the document S is detected by a document sensor (DS sensor) provided in the reading unit 3 (not shown).

When there is no original S, the cover 26 can be turned in the direction of the operation unit 15 by the rotation of the reading motor to form a discharge port for the sheet P (FIGS. 3 and 4). Lid 2
After the sensor detects that the rotary unit 6 has rotated to the operation unit 15 side, the recording operation is started and the face-up discharge is performed.

After discharging the paper, the user who wishes to perform facsimile transmission removes the discharged sheet P from the main body and then removes the cover 26 from the main body.
Is restored, and the original S is placed.

As a result, since the discharged recording sheet is positively pulled out by the user, it is difficult for the recording sheet to be left unattended, and there is also an effect that the information transmission can be prevented from being delayed. .

In the present embodiment, the lid 26 is driven by the reverse rotation of the reading motor, but of course other means may be used. Further, the driving of the flapper is performed by the solenoid, but the invention is not limited to this.

Hereinafter, a facsimile apparatus as a sheet conveying apparatus will be described. Since the configuration and operation of the sheet conveying device L are as described above, they are denoted by reference numerals in the drawing, and description thereof will be omitted.

In FIG. 1, the recording paper P stacked on the recording paper feed unit 11 is pressed against the separation roller 60 by rotating the middle plate 36 by the middle plate pressing spring 38, and one by one by the separation pad 73. The sheet is separated (friction separation method) and transported by the transport roller 17.

Further, the position of the leading end of the recording paper P being fed is detected by a registration sensor (not shown) so that the leading end of the toner image formed on the photosensitive drum 10a and the leading end of the recording paper P coincide with each other. After the timing of paper feeding and image output is adjusted, the sheet is conveyed between the transfer charger 10f and the photosensitive drum 10a. The image is recorded on the upper surface side of the loaded recording paper P.

The side edge of the recording paper P is regulated by a slider (not shown) movably mounted in accordance with the recording paper size, so that skewing and non-feeding do not occur. The number of sheets that can be loaded on the recording paper is about 100,
It is configured to be inserted into the rear of the apparatus main body 1.

The apparatus main body 1 is provided with a cartridge cover 2 which is also a paper discharge tray so as to be openable and closable. By opening the cartridge cover 2, the recording cartridge 10e can be pulled out and replaced.

In the facsimile apparatus according to this embodiment, the cartridge cover 2 is provided with an interlock mechanism. When the cartridge cover 2 is open or the recording cartridge 10e is not set in the apparatus main body 1, recording is performed. The apparatus main body 4 does not operate.

A drum exposure prevention shutter (not shown) provided on the recording cartridge 10e is designed to operate in conjunction with the setting of the recording cartridge 10e in the apparatus main body 1. When the cartridge cover 2 is opened, the recording cartridge 10e is opened. While it opens when it is set on the device body 1,
The recording cartridge 10e is closed when the recording cartridge 10e is removed from the apparatus main body 1, thereby preventing unnecessary exposure of the photosensitive drum 10a.

When a paper jam occurs during recording, the cartridge cover 2 is opened to open the main body 1 of the apparatus.
The recording paper P staying inside the recording paper P can be taken out.

The contact type image sensor 7 irradiates the image information surface of the document S with light from an LED array as a light source, and forms the reflected light reflected from the image information surface on a sensor element by a Selfox lens (trademark). Then, the image information is read.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a control system 300 of a facsimile apparatus using a laser beam printer according to the present invention.

In the figure, reference numeral 301 denotes a CPU for controlling the entire facsimile machine. This CPU 301
A ROM for storing PU and MPU control programs and the like, a RAM used as a work area for various data processing and a temporary storage unit for image information, an image processing unit for performing image scaling, resolution conversion, and the like. I have.

The CPU 301 is provided with a calendar and a clock function having a well-known configuration, and an area for storing important system setting information such as one-touch key destination information and software switch information in the RAM is provided with a battery backup for power failure. Is protected from accidental obstacles. The control system of the facsimile machine is the CPU 3
01, the following elements 302 to 310 are connected through an interface.

The operation unit 302 includes various key switches such as a numeric keypad, a function key, a one-touch key, a start key, and a stop key.

The display unit 303 includes an LCD for displaying various messages and various LEDs for displaying transmission modes and the like.
Etc.

The reading unit 304 includes a driving unit such as a reading motor, a reading sensor for reading an image, an image processing unit for shading and binarizing the read image, various sensors for detecting a document, and the like.

The recording unit 305 includes a driving unit for a recording motor, a recording unit for controlling a laser scanner and an electrophotographic process, an image processing unit for smoothing an image to be recorded, and various sensors for detecting recording paper and the like. Become.

The communication control unit 306 which performs outgoing calls, incoming calls, encoding of image data, and the like has a connection unit composed of MODEM, NCU, and the like, and a communication network 307 is connected to the connection unit.

The CPU external interface 309 is
An interface for directly transmitting and receiving data from the PU 301. For example, RS232C, SCSI, LA
By connecting to a computer outside the apparatus through a line such as N, the apparatus is used as a scanner printer or the like of the external computer.

The HDD 310 is used as a large-capacity nonvolatile memory for storing image information and the like.

Next, the basic operation of the laser beam printer will be described with reference to FIG.

In FIG. 6, reference numeral 400 denotes a semiconductor laser which blinks a laser beam for image data to be recorded; 401, a polygon motor; 402, a polygon mirror rotated by the polygon motor 401; 403, image formation and tilt correction; An optical system, 404 is a photodetector, 405 is a folding mirror, 406 is a photosensitive drum, 407 is a developing device,
P is a recording sheet, 409 is a conveyance guide, and 410 is a fixing device.

In the above configuration, first, the laser beam emitted from the semiconductor laser 400 is
The light is deflected by being reflected by the light 2, and is irradiated onto the photosensitive drum 406 via the optical system 403 and the folding mirror 405 (main scanning). At this time, the head is searched by the photo detector 404, and the irradiation position is determined. While the main scanning is completed for one line, the photosensitive drum 406 rotates by one line (sub-scan).

The image formed on the photosensitive drum 406 as described above is developed by the developing device 407 and is transferred onto the recording sheet P. The recording sheet P is conveyed along a conveyance guide 409, is fixed by a fixing device 410, and is discharged outside the apparatus main body 1.

The above-described photosensitive drum 406 and developing unit 40
7. The components of the sub-scanning system such as the fixing device 410 are synchronously driven by a recording motor, gears, belts and the like (not shown).

As described above, by intersecting the recording and discharging tray of the facsimile apparatus and the document feeding tray on the paper path surface, space can be saved, and the apparatus can be downsized.

Further, in the above embodiment, the image recording section has been described using a laser beam printer as an example. However, as long as a cut sheet is used, other electrophotographic, thermal transfer or ink jet type sheets may be used. It is also applicable to a transport device.

[0086]

As described above, according to the present invention,
By intersecting the discharge path of the recording sheet after image formation and the feed path of the document sheet for reading the document, the size of the apparatus can be reduced.

Further, since the original sheet tray for feeding the original sheets to the original reading means is foldable, the size of the apparatus can be further reduced, and the operation unit above the original reading means can be provided. When used as a printer, it covers unnecessary buttons and hides unnecessary buttons, which is convenient for users.

Further, by providing a cover that can be opened and closed in the original sheet tray, face-down discharge can be performed even when the original sheet tray is opened, and the range of choices of the user is expanded.

When a document sheet is placed on the document sheet tray, the sheet output can be performed quickly by switching the recording sheet discharge path and performing face-up discharge.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of sheet conveyance operation of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of sheet conveyance operation of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an external perspective view of a document feed tray of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a control system of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram illustrating a printing operation of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of a conventional facsimile machine.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Main body 2, 11 ... Recording sheet placing means 3 ... Image reading means 7 ... Image sensor 10 ... Image forming means 10a ... Photoconductor 10c ... Developing means 10f ... Transfer means 10g ... Fixing means 12 ... Recording sheet transport path switching means 15 Operation unit 17 Separation feeding means 18 Document sheet tray 26 Cover

Claims (12)

[Claims] An image forming unit provided in the apparatus main body for forming an image on the recording sheet; a recording feeding unit for feeding the recording sheet to the image forming unit; and a recording sheet from the image forming unit. An image forming apparatus including a discharge unit that discharges a document, an image reading unit that reads a document sheet, and a document feeding unit that feeds the document sheet to the image reading unit.
An image forming apparatus, wherein a recording sheet discharge path and a document sheet feeding path intersect. 2. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
At the rear and the front of the apparatus main body, a recording sheet placing means before image formation and a recording sheet placing means after image formation are respectively disposed, and the image forming means is disposed between the both placing means. And the image reading means is provided thereon. 3. The document sheet is rotated around a rotation support shaft in a direction perpendicular to the feeding direction of the document sheet, and is put out of the apparatus main body when used, and is placed on the image reading means when not used. 3. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a document sheet tray for storing. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the document sheet tray is foldable. 5. The document sheet tray is provided with an openable / closable cover that allows passage of a recording sheet after image formation when the document sheet tray is read out of the apparatus main body when reading a document. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3. 6. The cover according to claim 3, wherein the cover that is openable and closable is rotated by a driving unit of an image reading unit, and the rotation direction is opposite to the rotation direction when reading the original.
The image forming apparatus according to any one of the above. 7. The image forming means includes: an electrophotographic photoreceptor; an exposing means for forming a latent image on the photoreceptor; a developing means for developing the latent image to form a developed image; The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a transfer unit configured to transfer the image to a sheet, and a fixing unit configured to fix the transferred image to the sheet. 8. A sheet separating / feeding unit is provided between a lower portion of the recording sheet placing unit and the image forming unit, and a recording sheet guide is provided downstream of the image forming unit in a sheet conveying direction. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: 9. The printing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printing sheet guide section is provided with a printing sheet placement means after printing the printing sheet or a switching means for selectively switching a discharge path to the front of the apparatus main body. Item 9. The image forming apparatus according to any one of Items 1 to 8. 10. The image reading device according to claim 1, wherein the image reading device includes a feeding device that feeds the document sheet, and an image sensor that reads information of the fed document sheet.
An image forming apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9. 11. An image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a document placing means for placing a read document sheet is provided downstream of said image reading means. . 12. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an operation unit for forming an image is provided on the image reading unit.